Parran L. Foster

Chairman of the JCSU Board of Trustees

Parran L. FosterChairman of the JCSU Board of Trustees

What were the accomplishments for the year?

The Board of Trustees enjoyed several accomplishments that will enhance our students’ experience in the future. The University opened the Mosaic Village to accommodate students who want a more autonomous living arrangement. We broke ground for the new Science Center which will enable our students to learn and research in a cutting-edge facility. We now anticipate that Duke Hall, which will provide a fully-renovated residential asset, will be ready for occupation when the fall semester begins. And finally, the Board put forth and confirmed a new slate of candidates as officers who will be assuming their roles at our August 2013 meeting.

What were some of the challenges?

One of the biggest challenges that the University faced this past year was in closing the financial gap of the many students who arrived on our campus with significant financial deficiencies. It is clear that the University stretched well beyond what could be considered reasonable boundaries in an effort to assist a significant number of those students in their effort to stay on our campus in pursuit of their degrees. The board stood squarely behind the decisions to address the issue made by Dr. Carter and his administration. The Board of Trustees also took on the task of revamping the University’s by-laws, and after numerous discussions and presentations of various drafts, we have completed that task. We are currently working to assure that the University's charter is in sync with the new by-laws.

I contend that we owe significant gratitude to Dr. Carter for his willingness to embrace and expound on the vision initiated by the Board in the Seven Expectations for Radical Transformation. Much of the success of our Mission-in-Vision has been driven by his insights, tenacity and leadership.